How Much Does it Cost to Tow a Car?

If you have been driving for a long time chances are you have encountered a breakdown of your car and have been faced with the chance that you will need to have your car towed. Those with AAA coverage pay a monthly fee so that should they break down they can get roadside help and a limited free towing if it is needed.

In the event that you do not have AAA coverage or the situation is not covered under the company's rules you are likely going to have to pay out of pocket for a tow truck. In this article we will go through the potential costs and explain how little or how much getting your car towed can potentially cost you.

The Costs of Towing a Car

Standard Fees

When it comes to towing companies they will usually have a base fee they charge simply to travel to where you and your vehicle are located and hook up the car to their tow truck. Depending on the company this can range from $35 up to $100. It should be noted the prices can vary depending on location so you should ask the company ahead of time.

It is also very likely that you will be charged a mileage fee which generally ranges between $2 - $7 per mile that may be applied both in transit to your location and to your final location. Sometimes the company may include a limited mileage in their base fee so you do not pay extra on a short tow.

Additional Fees

The basic prices are not always the ones you will pay because there are things that can cause you to have to pay an inflated fee for the service. This is something you should be aware of as it can help you to make a decision to delay your tow if it is possible to do so. The penitential extra fees include:

Callout at night, weekend, peaktime or a holiday: If the time of the tow is potentially at a peak time, holiday, weekend or late at night the drivers will often be being paid a premium level of pay. This will mean that the price of the tow may be set at a premium price as well.

There has been a collision: Hopefully the call for a tow is just because of a breakdown but if you have been involved in an accident you may pay more for the car recovery. If they have to extricate your car from a ditch or load it into a flatbed truck additional fees are very likely. Towing a damaged car is more difficult than one that has simply broken down.

Your car is large: The tow rate can vary based on the size of your vehicle. A Hummer for example would cost you more than a compact car because it is larger and much heavier. They will often ask you what kind of vehicle you have, if they do not make sure you mention it yourself. That way your quote is based on the vehicle they will be towing and should not suddenly change when the driver arrives.

Bad weather conditions: Towing companies are well within their rights to charge extra for service in bad weather conditions. Anything that will make the job more difficult and potentially dangerous can accrue higher fees.

Your car is stuck: This was mentioned earlier in the accident section but it could also apply if you are for example stuck in snow. Anything that hampers the easy hook up and tow away of the car can lead to extra fees upwards of $250. This is because of the extra difficulties involved.

Your location is harder to reach: Fees may be higher if you are broken down in the middle of nowhere. If the truck has to travel a long distance to reach you initially this can add to the base rate.

You have an electric vehicle: Electric vehicle manufacturers often suggest that they should be put on a flatbed rather than towed as there is a risk of damage to the vehicle. The tow company may insist on a flatbed so they are covered against damaging your electric car. This will cost more than a normal tow.

How Can You Save Money?

Getting your car towed is not cheap so it might be wise to plan ahead and avoid a nasty financial hit that many just can not afford these days. Ways to avoid a big cash hit include:

Insurance Based Roadside Coverage

We all need motor insurance, that’s the law. So when you are shopping around for policies look out for one that offers roadside assistance. This will give you coverage in the event of a problem whereby a mobile mechanic may be able to come and get you back on the road or tow you for no additional charge either to your home or to a mechanic whichever is closest.

This may cost you a little more on your insurance each month but the peace of mind that it could ultimately help in a tough situation is invaluable. It usually costs an extra $30 - $60 a year on top of your insurance to attach this kind of coverage.

Roadside Assistance Companies

Adding roadside assistance to your insurance is a great idea but it should be noted that these are often limited in their services and availability. Sometimes you just simply have to go with the experts such as AAA.

Companies that specialize in roadside assistance have a well established infrastructure which often means they can get to you quickly and sometimes will prioritize vulnerable customers such as seniors or lone females who may be in danger.

Plans through companies like AAA start at around $60 a year and can be $130 a year for premium coverage. If you can afford it, premium coverage is a great option.

What to Ask the Tow Company

After reading this article you probably have an idea of the things that can bump up the cost of your tow so before you call assess the situation. What type of vehicle do you have? Is it damaged? Is it going to be hard to move? Are you in the middle of nowhere? These are things you need to be able to relay to the tow company.

Tell the company everything you can and ask them to give you a quote based on those details. This should give you an accurate quote. Also enquire how long they may take to get to you as sometimes they may quote a lower price but could leave you waiting hours while a few dollars more can get you home much sooner.

Conclusion

The cost of tow service can vary greatly and is dependent on a number of factors. It could be less than $100 or potentially several hundred dollars. We are at the mercy of the tow companies and if there isn’t a lot of competition in the area you could end up being charged extra.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spend a lot of time collecting, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site to be as useful to you as possible.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Tow Ratings as the source. We appreciate your support!